Sapphire Coast Autumn Events 2024
CELEBRATE AUTUMN ON THE SAPPHIRE COAST
It's no secret that autumn is (arguably) our favourite time of the year on the Sapphire Coast. Bright days, warm water and a distinct lack of crowds make for a wonderful combination and we can't help but feel elated when we start to notice the fresh autumn breeze.
Best of all, many of our much-loved yearly events and festivals take place at this time of the year which provides ample opportunities for celebration and connection with friends new and old. From musical celebrations to culinary delights, there's something for everyone to enjoy against the stunning backdrop of our breathtaking coastline.
Cobargo Folk Festival, 1-3 March
Kicking off the autumn festivities is the iconic Cobargo Folk Festival, set to enchant audiences from March 1st to 3rd with its captivating blend of music, creativity, camping and community spirit. Described as the best little folk and roots festival on the NSW Far South Coast, Cobargo Folk Festival is back with three days of festivities held at the Cobargo Showground, surrounded by spectacular hinterland.
The festival location is just five minutes’ walk from historic Cobargo village and some of Australia’s best beaches are just a little over 15 minutes away from the festival site. The historic village of Tilba is just down the road, as are the stunning Gulaga, Biamanga and Mimosa Rocks National Parks, and of course Bermagui.
There are so many exciting things happening at the festival this year, for example: Yuin Culture Circle with Uncle Warren and the Gulaga Dancers; Japanese taiko drumming with Stonewave Taiko; Bioluminescence - a stunning light show on the top of the Biamanga venue after dark; and an incredible lineup of folk, roots and acoustic musicians and bands from across Australia.
Don't miss this awesome annual event in beautiful Cobargo!
EAT Festival, 7-10 March
EAT Festival is back in March 2024! Over 4 days, locals and visitors can indulge in a series of paddock to plate and tide to table experiences that celebrate the food, the heritage and the pristine natural wilderness of the Sapphire Coast.
The big day is Sunday March 10th and EAT will be serving partner events alongside, all weekend. Many of EAT's partner events have become just as anticipated as the festival itself…. how could you miss the Wheelers Long Table Lunch, Merimbula Wharf’s 3 Chefs Degustation or the TOAST small batch dinner?!
As for the stallholders for EAT's famous Fishpen event on March 10, we're in for a tasty treat this year with crowd favourites as well as tantalising newcomers. Just some of them include... Sapphire Coast Oysters, Aristotle Ke Anthoula, Valentina, Tin Cantina, Bar Superette, A Pinch of Yum, Longstocking Brewery, and so many more!
Caravãna Sun live at Four Winds, 9 March
Four Winds throws the gate open and welcomes Caravãna Sun for an afternoon of pop-infused indie rock in stunning natural surrounds. A perfect all ages gig, children under 5 free + food trucks, bar or bring your own picnic to the magnificent surroundings of Four Winds.
Celebrated by LOST Magazine as "the most explosive performance ever witnessed," Caravãna Sun guarantees an unforgettable showcase of genre - with raw, electric energy transcending musical boundaries. Hailing from Southern Sydney, the quartet—Luke Carra, Ant Beard, Chris Smithson, and James Smithers— have captivated audiences globally with their dynamic live shows. Performing in the expansive Sound Shell Outdoor Amphitheatre, with sensational food trucks and a family friendly atmosphere - Four Winds hosts Caravãna Sun with their ska, reggae and sonic/electronic influences, alongside exceptional guest artists Benji and the Saltwater Sound System and Felicity Dowd.
Savor sonic bliss amidst nature, relish in delicious Mexican-style cuisine from Tin Cantina (and more!) and grab a refreshing beverage at our bar. This all-ages event offers free admission for children aged 5 and under.
SCULPTURE Bermagui, 9-17 March
Celebrate our spectacular environment and amazing local and visiting artists at SCULPTURE Bermagui 2024. Held along the stunning foreshore of Horseshoe Bay, this cherished event brings locals and visitors together each year for 9 days of immersion in nature and art. With more than 200 artworks nominated for this year's event, SCULPTURE Bermagui 2024 will be the biggest and most diverse we have ever seen.
The exhibition begins on the weekend of Labor Day in Victoria and Canberra Day in ACT and runs from 9-17 March. The outdoor sculptures are displayed on the beautiful Dickinson Point headland and foreshore overlooking Horseshoe Bay and Gulaga. The indoor sculptures are displayed in the nearby Bermagui Surf Club and in a new space for 2024, the Street Gallery.
In exciting news, this year's program includes a community event on the second Saturday featuring a light projection show and lantern parade.
Easter Weekend at Four Winds, 29-31 March
The Easter weekend is delivering three days of exceptional music in nature at the Four Winds venue in Barragga Bay. BYO picnic welcome and bookings essential!
Easter Friday - Yirinda at the Windsong Pavilion, 6pm
On Easter Friday evening, Four Winds welcomes Yirinda, a special collaboration between Butchulla songman Fred Leone and Samuel Pankhurst. Yirinda explores ancient stories and soundscapes – both acts showcasing the diversity of Australian music, from First Nations storytelling to contemporary and classical. Yirinda will be performed at the indoor Windsong Pavilion with a full band featuring a collection of exceptional artists, including strings, synths and percussion.
Easter Saturday (2pm) and Easter Sunday (11am) - Goldner String Quartet at the Sound Shell
On Easter Saturday and Sunday, the Four Winds outdoor amphitheatre, the 'Sound Shell', will be graced by one of Australia's most prominent string ensembles. The Goldner String Quartet is an Australian ensemble of international significance, favourably compared with the best in the world. Consistently brilliant and now in their 30th year of performance, the remarkable Goldners are making their final concert tour. The Four Winds concerts will be a special tribute to their phenomenal 30 years together, performing works by Paul Stanhope, variations on Beethoven’s theme Ode to Joy, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and the NSW premiere of a composition by Pēteris Vaskas.
Ephemeral Festival, 13 April
As April unfolds, immerse yourself in the magic of the Ephemeral Festival at beautiful Panboola Wetlands, where creativity and imagination come to life through captivating performances and interactive installations and workshops.
The landscape of Panboola spans 77-hectares of fresh water billabongs, saltmarsh and mangroves, plantings of thousands of trees, shrubs and ground cover, and extensive walking and cycle tracks. It holds a special place in the heart of many Pambula and Sapphire Coast locals and visitors, and the festival provides the opportunity to celebrate this unique environment in a whole new light.
Nethercote Produce Market, 27 April
For those seeking fresh local produce, mark your calendars for the Nethercote Produce Market on April 27th, where the bounty of autumn harvests awaits. This seasonal market takes place only four times a year and it is a highlight on the autumn calendar for many locals seeking local fruits, vegetables, tasty treats and preserves.
Local growers pick their produce the night before or early in the morning, whose gardens range from single beds to flourishing orchards and whose supply can be half a bucket of lemons and three sprigs of mint or 300 avocados. Grab a sausage or bacon and egg roll for breakfast, explore the stalls and chat to the producers, all while listenting to live, local music.
Check out all our upcoming markets here
Merimbula Malibu, 4 May
As the ocean cools down towards the tail end of autumn, the waves heat up at the annual Merimbula Malibu. Dubbed this year as 'The Inter Mal actic', this mal riding competition sees some of the coast's best longboard surfers flock to the Sapphire Coast for the festivities. Kick back on the sand and watch the legends of the longboard bring their best against the backdrop of our pristine coastline.
If you're a competing longboarder, you'll score a Stan Squire designed T-Shirt, all you can eat all-day BBQ, and the opportunity to win trophies and surf prizes.
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